Breastfeeding bra

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a bra strap for positioning a garment while breastfeeding and particularly relates to a bra having a pair of straps having a looped end with releasable fastening means for securing the cup in the first position and securing a garment in a breastfeeding second position. The invention also relates to a method of positioning a garment while breastfeeding.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a strap to secure a mother's garment in araised position while breastfeeding and particularly relates to a brahaving a pair of straps having a looped end with releasable fasteningmeans for securing a garment in a breastfeeding position. The inventionalso relates to a method of positioning a garment while breastfeeding.The strap can be separate from the bra or part of the bra straps.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is generally common for mothers to breastfeed their children eitherat home or out and about. Difficulties can arise when attempting tobreastfeed as it requires a balancing of the infant, loosening ofgarments and manipulation of the bra.

Various devices have heretofor been devised in order to assist duringthis process.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,405 relates to a method and apparatusfor positioning a garment while breastfeeding. A separate strap isprovided for raising a garment of a mother to a raised position with thebreast of the mother exposed. The invention provides a separate strapwhich can be lost or easily forgotten.

Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,244 relates to a device and method whichincludes the steps of placing a flexible restraint around the mother'sneck or secured to the inside of the mother's shirt inserting a portionof the restraint under the shirt, pulling a portion of the restraintpast a bottom edge of the shirt and past the exterior side of the shirt,and securing the restraint so that the shirt is raised above and atleast one breast to facilitate nursing.

Another arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,611,399 which relates toa hands-free breast pumping support device generally which includes astrap having a first and second end and a first and second fastenercoupled to the strap first and second end portions.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,404 teaches a functioning coordinated nursing slipand bra.

ALS Publication 2008/0146118 relates to a breast shield support having acentral harness body adapted to hold a breast shield.

Yet another arrangement is disclosed in United States Publication2005/0085160 which relates to a tanktop nursing bra for a nursing motherwhich provides a breast support and which also allows the nursing motherto easily and discreetly breastfeed her baby wherein the tank can beworn in public without the need to be covered.

Moreover, in United States Publication 2010/0031418 relates to anundergarment in the form a strapless camisole that attaches to the flapsof any top opening nursing bra to just below the clasp and opens withthe flaps of the bra, staying, attached, when the woman opens the flapsto access the breast for nursing.

Finally, United States Publication 2001/0019933 relates to a sportsbrazier for nursing, including a pair of shoulder straps and a pair ofcup members located generally below the shoulder straps. Each of the cupmembers includes an inner contact layer substantially completelycovering the breast of the wearer and an outer compression layerslideably disposed in covering relation to the inner contact layer.

These and other arrangements present relatively complicated devices andmethods.

There is a need for an improved device and method to allow greaterflexibility and usability.

It is an aspect of this invention to provide a strap for positioning agarment while breastfeeding comprising: a first structure for securingthe strap to a bra; a second structure for releasably securing the strapto itself whereby the strap extends about a portion of the garment andreleasably secures to itself in a breastfeeding position. In oneembodiment, the strap is separate from the bra and has one endpresenting structure for releasably securing the strap to a bra. Inanother embodiment, the strap is part of the bra straps and is fixed tothe bra straps.

It is another aspect of this invention to provide a bra having a pair ofcups; a pair of straps securing the cups; each strap having a looped endwhereby a terminal end extends from the cup to an intermediate portionalong the strap.

It is a further aspect of this invention to provide a method ofpositioning a garment while breastfeeding which comprises the steps of:providing a bra strap associated with a bra cup, the bra strap having afirst portion and a terminal end, whereby the terminal end is releasablysecured to the first portion; raising a garment of a mother to a raisedportion; maintaining a garment, in a raised position by releasing theterminal end of the bra strap from the first portion and extending theterminal end of the bra strap under the garment and securing theterminal end to the first portion.

These and other objects and features of the invention should now bedescribed in relation to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the nursing bra in a first position

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b illustrates the bra strap in a first bra wearingposition and a second unsnapped position

FIG. 3 illustrates the invention in a bra feeding position.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the inventioncomprising a separate strap

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of FIG. 4 in an open position

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the strap of FIG. 4 in a closedposition

FIG. 7 is a partial view of a bra strap

FIG. 8 is a partial view of the strap releasably secured to a bra strap

FIG. 9 is a prospective view of the bra in an open operative position

FIG. 10 is a prospective view of a second embodiment to the inventionwith the strap in a releasable secure position

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Like parts have been given like numbers throughout the figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the breastfeeding bra 2 having apair of cups 4 and straps 6 that are fastened to the bra cups 4 in amanner well known to those persons skilled in the art. In particular,the straps 6 are secured to the back portion of the bra (not shown) aswell as the front portion of the bra 2 as shown. The breastfeeding braincludes at least one strap 6 haying a first or an intermediate portion8 and a terminal portion 10. The one strap 6 is looped upon itself asbest illustrated in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b. The straps 6 are looped as shownby the numeral 12 so as to be secured to the cups 4 by means of clasps,hasps, or other means 14 as shown. The looped end 12 can be stitched 16again in a manner well known to those persons skilled in the art. Theterminal end 10 can also be stitched 18 as shown.

The first or intermediate portion 8 of a strap 6 and the terminal end 10include releasable fastening means 20 which as shown comprises of thesnaps 22 having a first snap 24 secured to the intermediate portion 8and a second snap 26 secured to the terminal end 10. The fastening means20 however can comprise of any other fastening means such as a hook andpile means which are sold under the Velcro trademark, a hook and eyestructure or any other means.

Accordingly, the invention shown herein can be worn as a bra in thenormal course or it can also be used as a breastfeeding bra.

The invention describes a bra strap 6 for positioning a garment such asa shirt blouse or the like 30 while breastfeeding. The bra strapincludes means 20 for releasably securing the bra strap 6 to itself andto a bra cup by means of devices shown as 14. The bra strap 6 holds thebra cup in one position and the bra strap holds the bra strap andextends under a lower portion 32 of the garment 30 and secured to itselfin a second breastfeeding position as shown in FIG. 3.

The means for releasably securing the bra strap 6 can comprise snaps 24,26 or other means such as loop pile means sold for example under thetrade-mark Velcro. A first snap 24 is disposed in an intermediateportion of the strap 6 and the second snap 26 is disposed in a terminalend 10 as shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.

The invention describes a method of positioning a garment 30 whilebreastfeeding which comprises the steps of: providing a bra strap 6associated with a bra cup 4 having a looped intermediate portion 8 and aterminal end 10 whereby the terminal end 10 is releasably secured to thefirst or intermediate portion; raising a garment 30 of a mother to araised position; and maintaining the garment 30 in a raised position byreleasing the terminal end 10 of the bra strap 6 from the first orintermediate portion 8 and extending the terminal end 10 of the brastraps 6 under the garment 30 and securing the terminal end 10 to theintermediate portion.

The breastfeeding bra is comprised of materials generally well known tothose persons skilled in the art including nylon lycra and the like.

FIG. 4 illustrates a separate strap 60 for positioning a garment 30while breastfeeding, comprising first means 62 for securing the strap 60to the bra 70. The strap 60 also includes second means 64 for releasablysecuring the strap 60 to itself whereby the strap 60 extends about aportion of the garment and secures to itself in a breastfeeding positionas illustrated in FIG. 10. The strap 60 is separate from the bra and hasat one end 66 the first means for securing the strap to the bra 70 whichin FIG. 4 comprises a hook 62. The hook 62 is secured to one end 66 ofthe strap and is adapted to releasably engage with the bra strap 6. Inparticular, the bra strap 6 includes the clasp, hasp buckle or othermeans 14 has shown whereby the hook 62 can releasably engage therewith.The strap 60 also includes a second releasably securing means 64 whichas shown can comprise of snaps, or other means such as loop pile meansor the like. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the second releasablysecuring means can comprise a first snap 64 a disposed at one end 66 ofthe strap and the second strap 64 b disposed at another end 68 of thestrap 60.

The bra 70 includes cups 4. The cups 4 also include a removable fastener5 which is disengaged from the strap 6 in a manner well known to thosepersons skilled in the art so as to reveal the breast for breastfeeding.

Accordingly, the first and second embodiments of the invention present astrap 6 and 60 for positioning a garment 30 while breastfeedingcomprising:

-   -   a. first means 62 and 16 for securing the strap 6, and 60 to the        bra    -   b. second means 20 and 64 for releasably securing the strap 6        and 60 to itself whereby the strap extends about a portion of        the garment 30 and secures to itself in the breastfeeding        position.

In the second embodiment that strap 604 is separate from the bra and ithas one end 66 presenting the first means 62 for securing the strap 60to the bra. In this embodiment the first means 62 comprises a hook toattach to the bra strap as shown. However, other means can be usedincluding loop pile means or the like. The second end 68 presents asecond releasably securing means 64 for securing the strap 60 to itselfas shown. The second releasing means 64 can comprise loop pile means,hook pile means or other fasteners such as a snap as shown.

In the first embodiment, the strap 6 comprised the bra strap 6 and thefirst means for securing the bra strap to the bra is fixed at 16. Thesecond securing means shown in the first embodiment comprises releasablysecuring the strap 6 to itself and the bra.

The second embodiment can be utilized such that a regular bra can beutilized for breastfeeding purposes by simply carrying the strap asshown which has adapted to be releasably secured to the bra strap so asto permit the garment to be temporarily placed in a breastfeedingposition.

1. A strap for positioning a garment while breastfeeding comprising: a.first means for securing the strap to the bra; b. second means forreleasably securing the strap to itself whereby the strap extends abouta portion of the garment and secures to itself in a breastfeedingposition.
 2. A strap as claimed in claim 1 wherein the strap is separatefrom the bra and has one end presenting said first means for securingthe strap to the bra.
 3. A strap as claimed in claim 2 wherein saidfirst means comprises a hook to attach to the bra.
 4. A strap as claimedin claim 3 wherein a second end of the strap presents said secondreleasable securing means for securing the strap to itself.
 5. A strapas claimed in claim 4 wherein said second releasable securing meanscomprises a snap.
 6. A strap as claimed in claim 1 wherein said strapcomprises a bra strap and said first means for securing the bra strap tothe bra is fixed to the bra and said second securing means releasablysecures the strap to itself and a bra cup in a breastfeeding position.7. A bra strap as claimed in claim 6 whereby the means for releasablysecuring comprises snaps.
 8. A bra strap as claimed in claim 7 wherebythe snaps comprise a first snap disposed intermediate the bra strap. 9.A bra strap as claimed in claim 8 whereby the snaps comprise a secondsnap disposed at a terminal end of the bra strap and releasablysecurable to the first snap.
 10. A bra strap as claimed in claim 6whereby said means comprise loop pile means and hook means.
 11. A brastrap as claimed in claim 7 whereby the bra strap is looped.
 12. Amethod of positioning a garment while breastfeeding comprising the stepsof: a. providing a bra strap associated with a bra cup having aintermediate position and terminal end whereby the terminal end isreleasably secured to the intermediate portion. b. raising a garment ofthe mother to a raised position. c. maintaining the garment in a raisedposition by releasing the terminal end of the bra strap from theintermediate portion and extending the terminal end of the bra strapabout the garment and securing the terminal end to the intermediateposition.
 13. A method as claimed in claim 12 whereby the intermediateportion and terminal end include releasable securing means for securingthe terminal end to the intermediate portion in a bra wearing positionand releasing the terminal end from the intermediate portion to capturethe garment in a second breast feeding position.
 14. A method as claimedin claim 13 whereby the releasable securing means comprises snaps.
 15. Amethod as claimed in claim 14 including the step of moving the cup topermit breast feeding.
 16. A method as claimed in claim 15 whereby thesnaps include a first snap disposed in the intermediate portion and asecond snap disposed at the terminal end.
 17. A method as claimed inclaim 16 whereby the second snap is unsnapped from the first snap toextend the bra strap under the garment and the second snap resecured tothe first snap in the breastfeeding position.
 18. A bra having: a. apair of cups and b. a pair of straps securing the cup c. each straphaving a looped end whereby a terminal end of the strap extends from thecup to an intermediate portion along strap d. releasable fastening meansdisposed at the terminal end and intermediate portion for: i. securingthe cup in the first position ii. releasing the terminal end from theintermediate portion to capture a garment in a second raisedbreastfeeding position and resecure the terminal end to the intermediateportion.
 19. A bra as claimed in claim 18 whereby the fastening meanscomprises straps.
 20. A bra strap as claimed in claim 19 for securing amother's garment in a raised position while breastfeeding.